WEDDING PLANNING
10–12 Months To Go...
WORK OUT YOUR BUDGET AND ESTABLISH YOUR TOP PRIORITIES. Determine where to save and where to splurge.
GET YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING. Start browsing wedding inspiration on websites, social media, blogs, and magazines to explore and identify your wedding style and colors
COMPILE YOUR PRELIMINARY GUEST LIST. You'll need that guest count!
CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PARTY. Who do you want by your side at the altar? Ask them now to give your attendants plenty of time to plan and prep.
FIND A VENUE FOR YOUR CEREMONY AND/OR RECEPTION, AND RESERVE YOUR WEDDING DATE. This is huge.
DO YOU NEED WEDDING INSURANCE? It’s something to think about. Check with your venue about liability insurance and consider other options, like cancellation insurance.
TELL EVERYONE TO SAVE THE DATE! Send out save-the-date cards 8–12 months in advance for a destination wedding, or 6–9 months in advance for a domestic wedding.
START ASSEMBLING WELCOME BAGS FOR YOUR GUESTS, if applicable.
CREATE A WEDDING WEBSITE. Let your invitees know about it by putting your website’s URL on the save-the-date cards.
SAY YES TO YOUR WEDDING DRESS (OR TUX!) and begin assembling the perfect accessories. Need inspiration? Attend a trunk show or wedding expo.
CONSIDER HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER if you’re already feeling overwhelmed. They’re magical, we tell ya.
BEGIN ASSEMBLING AN ALL-STAR WEDDING VENDOR TEAM. We'd start with: Caterer Photographer Officiant. And when you hire a vendor, get all the details in writing!
START DREAMING UP YOUR HONEYMOON, IF YOU’RE TAKING ONE. It’s a great way to mitigate wedding planning stress.
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WEDDING PLANNING
6–9 Months To Go...
HIRE A FLORAL DESIGNER. Set up a time to go over flower types and design styles. They’ll help you choose flower arrangements to fit your style, color scheme, and budget.
DO A TASTING AND CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING CAKE WITH YOUR CAKE DESIGNER.
HIRE THE DJ/ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR CEREMONY, COCKTAIL HOUR, AND RECEPTION. Work with them on the wedding playlist.
ORDER YOUR INVITATIONS. Discuss the style and wording of your wedding invitations with a Stationer or online invitation company.
CREATE YOUR GIFT REGISTRY. (Don't forget to update your wedding website with the links!)
ARRANGE HOTEL ROOM BLOCKS for out-of-town guests and book your own suite for the wedding night.
SHOP FOR BRIDESMAID / FLOWER GIRL DRESSES / GROOMSMEN SUITS. Give attendants clear instructions on how to place their orders.
ARRANGE AND BOOK ANY NECESSARY WEDDING-DAY TRANSPORTATION.
GO OVER BRIDAL SHOWER AND/OR BACH PARTY DETAILS, as well as the guest list with the person(s) hosting the party.
CONSIDER PREMARITAL COUNSELING. Make sure you and your fiancé are rock-solid through this wedding-planning journey, and prepared to face married life together.
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WEDDING PLANNING
3–5 Months To Go...
BOOK THE REHEARSAL AND REHEARSAL DINNER LOCATION(S). If you're including entertainment or specialty décor / details, now's the time to lock in these elements.
PUT TOGETHER YOUR REHEARSAL DINNER GUEST LIST. This may include immediate family, the wedding party plus spouses, your Officiant, and others involved in the ceremony.
MAKE CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS and / or plan wedding entertainment for your guests' kids.
RESERVE ALL NECESSARY PARTY RENTALS AND LINENS.
ORDER WEDDING FAVORS FOR YOUR GUESTS or pick a charity to donate to in lieu of favors.
FINALIZE THE WEDDING GUEST LIST. Get everyone's mailing address organized into a spreadsheet.
CONFIRM YOUR INVITATION WORDING with the Stationer, and consider additional day-of stationery. Schedule a pickup or delivery date for your invites and other paper goods.
DECIDE UPON YOUR CEREMONY READINGS AND VOWS.
FINALIZE THE MENU, BEVERAGE, AND CATERING DETAILS with your venue and / or caterer.
WORK ON THE TIMELINE OF THE WEDDING DAY AND RECEPTION FORMALITIES with your wedding coordinator and / or venue.
DO A MAKEUP & HAIR TRIAL AND BOOK YOUR STYLISTS. Come up with your own beauty and fitness regimen to be camera-ready and confident for the big day.
SHOP FOR AND PURCHASE YOUR WEDDING RINGS. Order engravings if desired.
FINALIZE HONEYMOON PLANS AND OBTAIN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. (Are you sure your passports haven’t expired?)
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WEDDING PLANNING
6–8 Weeks To Go...
SEND OUT YOUR INVITATIONS. Have a game plan for recording the RSVPs and meal choices.
TALK TO YOUR VENUE COORDINATOR ABOUT A CONTINGENCY PLAN if you're hosting an outdoor wedding.
TOUCH BASE WITH YOUR VENDORS TO CONFIRM WEDDING DATE, DEPOSITS, AND DETAILS.
START RESEARCHING MARRIAGE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND NAME-CHANGE PAPERWORK, if applicable.
BEGIN YOUR DRESS/ATTIRE FITTINGS. Be sure to buy the appropriate undergarments beforehand.
CHECK THE STATUS OF WEDDING PARTY ATTIRE. Give the wedding party a nudge to make sure they've placed their orders / purchased necessary items.
WRITE THANK-YOU CARDS FOR SHOWER GIFTS AND ANY EARLY WEDDING GIFTS RECEIVED.
START ASSEMBLING WELCOME BAGS FOR YOUR GUESTS, if applicable.
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WEDDING PLANNING
3–5
Weeks To Go...
SEND OUT REHEARSAL DINNER INVITATIONS. If your get-together will be informal, feel free to send an Evite.
FINALIZE AND CONFIRM: WEDDING VOWS AND CEREMONY READINGS WITH YOUR OFFICIANT.
FINALIZE AND CONFIRM: SHOT LIST WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR VIDEOGRAPHER.
FINALIZE AND CONFIRM: SONG LIST FOR CEREMONY, COCKTAIL HOUR, AND RECEPTION WITH YOUR DJ AND/OR BAND / MUSICIANS.
FINALIZE AND CONFIRM: TIMELINE FOR THE RECEPTION AND WHO'S GIVING THE TOASTS.
FINALIZE AND CONFIRM: WEDDING NIGHT AND HONEYMOON ACCOMMODATIONS.
OBTAIN MARRIAGE LICENSE AND COMPLETE NAME-CHANGE DOCUMENTS, if applicable.
START ASSEMBLING WELCOME BAGS FOR YOUR GUESTS, if applicable.
PICK UP YOUR WEDDING RINGS AND PROOFREAD ANY ENGRAVING!
IF YOU'RE THE TRADITIONAL TYPE, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED, AND BLUE?
PURCHASE YOUR DAY-OF ACCESSORIES. This may include your guest book, toasting flutes, cake servers, unity candle, ring pillow, and all that good stuff.
BUY GIFTS (OPTIONAL) FOR THE WEDDING PARTY, YOUR PARENTS, AND/OR YOUR PARTNER.
HAVE YOUR FINAL DRESS/SUIT FITTING. Bring your shoes and accessories for the full impact.
HUNT DOWN WHOEVER HASN'T RSVP'D YET. Le sigh.
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WEDDING PLANNING e
1-2 Weeks To Go...
GIVE YOUR CATERER/VENUE THE FINAL GUEST COUNT.
ARRANGE SEATING AND CREATE THE SEATING CHART AND/OR PLACE CARDS.
PICK UP YOUR GOWN AND/OR SUIT. Swoon.
CONFIRM ARRIVAL TIMES AND FINALIZE THE WEDDING TIMELINE with vendors and the wedding party. Make sure your MOH or someone you trust has a copy, too.
GO OVER PICKUP TIMES AND LOCATIONS WITH YOUR LIMOUSINE/ TRANSPORTATION VENDORS.
FINALIZE RECEPTION TABLES. Create the seating chart and / or place cards if you're having seating arrangements.
HAND OVER WEDDING FAVORS, DÉCOR, PAPER, AND CEREMONY ITEMS TO YOUR ON-SITE COORDINATOR OR PLANNER. Include any special set-up instructions.
START ASSEMBLING WELCOME BAGS FOR YOUR GUESTS, if applicable.
PACK UP YOUR WEDDING-DAY EMERGENCY KIT. Fill a small bag with "just in case" items that can fix any issues—from ibuprofen and a sewing kit to an extra pair of contacts.
CHECK THE WEATHER REPORT. If things look iffy on your wedding date, contact your venue to go over the contingency plan.
START PACKING FOR YOUR HONEYMOON (See "weather report" above.)
IN DESPERATE NEED OF A FACIAL OR MASSAGE? Now's the time to squeeze one in.
WEDDING PLANNING
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Days Before...
MAKE SURE ALL WEDDING-DAY ITEMS ARE PACKED/LAID OUT AND READY TO GO. Don't forget the rings and marriage license!
FIGURE OUT TIPS AND FINAL PAYMENTS FOR VENDORS. Put them in clearly marked envelopes and give them to someone you trust to hand out over the course of the event.
ASSIGN SOMEONE TO PACK UP YOUR GIFTS/BELONGINGS AFTER THE RECEPTION. Don't forget the top tier of your cake for your first anniversary!
ASSIGN SOMEONE TO RETURN ANY RENTAL ITEMS OR TUXEDOS THE DAY AFTER THE WEDDING, if needed.
WRAP ANY GIFTS YOU'LL BE GIVING to your future spouse, family, or wedding party. Or simply write them heartfelt notes to open on the day-of.
DROP OFF WELCOME BAGS TO GUEST HOTELS, if you're doing them.
ENJOY A MANI-PEDI.
ATTEND THE REHEARSAL AND DINNER. Now's the time to give out wedding party gifts.
TRY TO GO TO BED EARLY. You need your beauty sleep tonight!
SET YOUR ALARM. Allow plenty of time to get ready on your big day.
TAKE DEEP BREATHS. Stop to appreciate your soon-to-be spouse because the day you've been waiting for is finally here.
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Don’t Forget...
WEDDING PLANNING
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